01/02/87 Board of Public Works Special Meeting Minutes

Home Browse Search

a SPECIAL MEETING JANUARY 2, 1987 Councilman Ann Puzzello stated that in her three (3) years on the Common Council Personnel and Finance Committee this matter has been discussed and it has been a problem all of those three (3) years. She stated that the City has asked to work with the Humane Society. They have, however, refused the City's request for a budget and the City knows very little of where the money actually goes. She stated that the City has tried to get weekend service as there is no service on Sunday and one-half (1/2) day on Saturday and has tried unsuccessfully to negotiate with the Humane Society. She stated that a lot more will be done working with a group that is willing to work with the City administration. Ms. Theresa Lacopo stated that a lot of misconceptions have been presented. She stated that in a meeting held in November the City was given a budget. She further stated that on Saturdays the Humane Society is open from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and as ever they have emergency service twenty-four (24) hours a day. Mrs. DeClercq advised that the Humane Society was sent a Contract in August of 1986 for calendar year 1987 but it was not until October that the Society responded. The City was told that unless the Contract amount was increased, Saturday services would be cut. The City did not want Saturday service cut. It was only at that point that the City looked at alternatives that would provide the scope of services at the dollar amount budgeted and at that time the process of negotiating with Animal Services Company began. Councilman Eugenia Braboy stated that whichever company receives the business she would like to see more visibility. She cited a recent situation in which a resident of her district reported a pack of dogs running in the area. The dogs are still running. She stated that residents tend not to report the actions of their neighbors pets and more visibility would resolve problems immediately. She stated that she will be watching the situation closely. As a point of clarification, Common Council President Beverlie Beck asked if she was correct in her understanding that this matter rests with the Board and not with the Common Council as the money for this service for 1987 has already been allocated. Members of the Board advised Mrs. Beck that she was correct. There being no one else present wishing to speak in regards to this matter, upon a motion made by Mrs. DeClercq, seconded by Mr. Leszczynski and carried, a Letter of Agreement with Animal Services Company, Inc., 600 Fourth Street, Suite 312, Sioux City, Iowa was approved and executed. It was noted that the Letter of Agreement states that Animal Services Company is a corporation duly incorporated under the laws of Iowa with its principal office located in Sioux City, Iowa, and will locate an office in the City of South Bend. Animal Services Company has represented that they will be able to provide animal control services to the City of South Bend not later than February 2, 1987. Such animal control services shall be equivalent to services provided under past contracts entered into by the Board of Public Works. In addition to all obligations listed in previous contracts, the Animal Services Company will also incur additional obligations, including but not limited to providing liability insurance in an amount to be decided by the Board of Public Works. It is intended by the parties that a contract on the specifics of the animal control services to be provided will be submitted to the Board of Public Works for approval not later than February 3,